Package holidays: New EU rules will affect every Briton's holiday from TODAY

Package holidays: Your summer holiday in Europe will be affected by these EU rules

Package holidays are a very popular choice for British holidaymakers looking to save time and avoid stress.

But many tourists may not realise that up until now they have not been protected when booking through a third party provider.

However, from today, the 120 million holidaymakers who book a package holiday this summer will enjoy stronger consumer right thanks to new EU rules. This is the new travel advice.

Not only will traditional package holidays be covered, the new rules will also protect consumers who book other forms of combined travel.

This includes self-customised packages, where the traveller chooses different elements from a single point of sale online or offline.

Package holidays: Your summer holiday in Europe will be affected by these EU rules

The new rules will also introduce protection for “linked travel arrangements” when the traveller purchases travel services at one point of sale, but through separate booking processes, or, after having booked one travel service on one website, is invited to book another service on a different website.

Booking your holidays online is easy, but if something goes wrong you want to be sure to be fully protected,” said Vӗra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality.

“The new package travel rules are now adapted to the digital age and the new ways of booking holidays.

“Travellers will also benefit from new rights and be well protected in case the operator goes bankrupt.

“The new rules will also make it easier for travel businesses to offer their services cross-border.”

Package holidays: New travel rules are being introduced today by the European Commission

The new rules will benefit consumers even more in the the following ways.

Clearer information for travellers: Businesses must inform travellers whether they are offered a package or linked travel arrangement, and on their key rights through standardised information forms.

They must provide clear information on the features and characteristics of the package, its price and any additional charges.

Money-back and repatriation in case of bankruptcy: Companies selling package holidays must take out insolvency protection.

This guarantee covers refunds and repatriation in case organisers go bankrupt as well as applying to linked travel arrangements.

Package holidays: New rules will also protect consumers who book other forms of combined travel

Clearer rules on liability: The organiser of the package is liable if something goes wrong, no matter who performs the travel services.

Stronger cancellation rights: With the new rules, travellers may cancel their package holiday for any reason by paying a reasonable fee.

They may cancel their holiday, free of charge should their destination become dangerous for example because of war or natural disasters, or if the package price is raised over 8% of the original price.

Accommodation if the return journey cannot be carried out: Where travellers cannot return from their package holidays, for instance in the case of natural disasters, travellers are granted accommodation for up to three nights if they cannot return from their holiday on time.

Additional nights are covered in line with the relevant passenger rights regulations.

Assistance to travellers: The package organiser must also provide assistance to travellers in difficulty, in particular, by providing information on health services and consular assistance.